Timeline
16:32
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts
Start at the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts. The exhibits are grouped by type and well-displayed, offering a calm introduction to the region's history before the evening crowds arrive.
17:02
Walk 6 minutes NNW to Kenroku-en Garden. This is the most famous sight in Kanazawa. Arrive just before the sun sets to see the garden bathed in the final golden light of the day, with the sun setting toward the W.
17:47
Head to Sakanaya for dinner. This is a counter-seating only Japanese restaurant where locals gather for a quick serve of cheap seafood. Try the kaisen tonkomori-don. Note that it opens at 16:00 on weekdays and weekends.
18:47
End the night at Machrihanish. This bar has the best selection of single malts in Kanazawa. The English-speaking owner has visited every distillery in Scotland and can guide you through the selection. It opens at 18:30.
Local tip
The museum closes at 17:00, so arrive early. Sakanaya is a counter-seating only spot, so be prepared to sit at the bar. Machrihanish is a popular spot for whisky lovers, so expect a lively atmosphere.
Check before you go
- The Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts is closed on the 3rd Thursday of the month from April to November.
- Sakanaya is closed on Sundays.
- Machrihanish is closed on Sundays.
Worth knowing
- Sakanaya is open at 17:47 only on Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa
- Machrihanish is open at 18:47 only on Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Kanazawa (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).